NBA Preview: Golden State Warriors Looking to Take Game 2, Portland Trail Blazers to Even the Series

Thompson and Green are expected to lead the Warriors again against the Trail Blazers.(Photo : gettyimages.com)

The Golden State Warriors are looking to stretch their winning roll even without the team's best point guard as they host the Portland Trail Blazers in Game two of their best-of-seven Western Conference Semifinal series at the Oracle Arena on Tuesday.

The Warriors are leading the series after taking the opening game of their postseason showdown with a 118-106 victory. The defending NBA champions will again try to show their presence on the defensive end from the beginning of the match and continue to make better shots in the offensive end.

"It's very important we don't give up just layups early in the game," Australian Andrew Bogut said. "We're trying to protect the paint and make sure they get nothing easy early."

In the first game, the Golden States team shot 47 percent from the field and won the rebound battle against Portland 55-40. The Warriors had a spectacular first quarter, holding the sixth seeded Trail Blazers to just 17 points.

The Blazers, who shot 40 percent from the floor and allowed Golden State 19 points in transition, are expected to bounce back. Damian Lillard, who scored 30 points on Sunday night, will continue his role in leading the team.

Portland has to figure a better way of handling and controlling the offensive firepower of their opponent and give special attention to Thompson's scoring.

"Well, we can't get down 20. Anything less than 20 would be a better start," Portland's head coach Terry Stotts said Monday. "They're a first-quarter team. They're the best in the league at getting off to good starts. So, we have to be able to match that."